Pre-doctoral academic training opportunities in dentistry

Clinical academic pathways are flexible. There is no single route and you don’t need to complete every programme described here. People enter academic dentistry at different stages and in different ways.

The important thing is to find opportunities that suit your interests and career plans. The structure of training and academic posts varies across the four UK nations but all aim to support dentists to develop the skills to contribute to research, innovation and education.

Dental Core Training (DCT)

After completing Dental Foundation Training (DFT), many dentists progress to optional Dental Core Training (DCT), which typically lasts between one and three years. While most DCT posts are based within hospital specialties such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, there is a growing number of opportunities in primary care and community dental services. Although DCT is not a mandatory step for pursuing an academic career, it provides valuable clinical experience alongside opportunities to engage in research, teaching and quality improvement initiatives.

Completion of postgraduate training through DCT is generally required for entry into most dental specialty training programmes, making it a crucial stage for those aspiring to become dental clinical academics in specialist fields. Importantly, DCT posts enable dentists to build a strong portfolio by developing skills in research and education, which are essential for demonstrating commitment and suitability for a career in clinical academia.

Training opportunities across the UK

Publicly funded integrated academic training pathways are delivered through country-specific bodies. These pathways will allow you to gain research experience alongside clinical training, develop leadership and teaching skills and prepare for future academic careers.

England

Academic Clinical Fellowships are the main pre-doctoral academic posts in England, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through Integrated Academic Training (IAT) partnerships.

Scotland

In Scotland, pre-doctoral academic training is mostly delivered through Clinical Lectureships and research training posts funded jointly by universities, NHS Scotland and charities such as the Wellcome Trust.

Wales

The Welsh Clinical Academic Training (WCAT) offers an integrated academic and clinical training pathway for dentists and doctors, with protected academic time throughout training. Early career dentists in Wales can access posts with around 20% academic time that increases during doctoral research phases.

Northern Ireland

Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACF) posts usually run for two years with 25% protected research time. They are open to dentists at specialty training levels ST3 and above or from ST1 for General Practice.